PNO June 2022 Newsletter

Chartered January 29, 2000

Volume 12, Issue 6

June 2022

2022 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE v v v v v v v v v v v v v v

Kirstin Riddick – President LaToya Kearns – Vice President Lee Whitener – Secretary Sydney Hannah-Holliday – Vice Secretary Courtney Walker – Treasurer Essence Mitchell – Financial Secretary Ursula Snead – Parliamentarian Michele Swain – Hostess Deirdre Miles – Ivy Leaf Reporter Saunji Fyffe – Sergeant-At-Arms Anita Timmons – Historian Danielle Bridgeforth – Chaplain Vikki Pretlow – Correspondence Secretary Aliya Robinson – Member-At-Large

Past Basilei v v v v v v v

Sharon Worthy Kimberly Armstrong Michelle Thomas Lona Gordon Kimberly Walker Yvonne Jones Theresta Lanier

Somebody Prayed for Me! Soror Danielle Bridgeforth Since we first heard about you, we’ve kept you always in our prayers that you would receive the perfect knowledge of God’s pleasure over your lives, making you reservoirs of every kind of wisdom and spiritual understanding. Colossians 1:9 (TPT) As I mentioned at this month’s Executive and Chapter meetings, in June I like to focus on prayer. As the month draws to a close, I encourage us to remember that while we are praying for others, others are praying for us. Sometimes, we have no idea who has us on their mind. We may never know who is taking the time to pray for us and call out our names and needs to Jesus. What we do know is that the effective and fervent prayer of righteous people of faith makes a big difference in our lives. (See James 5:16).

So, let us keep praying and let us remember to pray for our world, our communities, and for one another. I do not know everything that is in our future, but I am confident that God will be with us each step of the way. Jesus will show up for us all along our journey and make us stronger, wiser, and better. Victory is up ahead because we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Pray.

Trust. Believe. Keep the faith. That’s it. That’s all. Let’s go!

I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:16 (NRSV)

June is …

DID YOU KNOW… According to the Black Men’s Health Project, 65% of Black men report experiencing recent racial discrimination by health care providers. Health care should not feel like one-size-fits-all. Precision medicine research is about finding health care solutions that meet the needs of diverse individuals and diverse communities. Join in creating better medical treatments that represent all of us. Learn more today à JoinAllofUs.org/together

June 19, 2022

Sorors Kirstin, Romana, & Saunji celebrating Juneteenth on the Manumission Tour of Old Town Alexandria.

In recognition and celebration of Juneteenth on Sunday, June 19, Soror Jatrice Martel Gaiter (Executive Vice President of External Affairs at Volunteers of America) created a special video overview of the holiday. In this video, she shares a very condensed history of Juneteenth, why we commemorate it, and what we can do to celebrate now that it’s a nationally-recognized holiday. Juneteenth is a holiday for ALL Americans to celebrate.

Click HERE to watch the video & learn something new!

Upcoming June Events

Soror Highlight: Kim Kendrick

On Thursday June 16, 2022 Sorror Kim Kendrick received the Board Recognition Time and Service Award at the ShelterHouse 8th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Reception & Award Ceremony

PNO New Member Highlight: Briyanna Scott v Initiated November 20, 2011 the Thoroughly Kaptivating Theta Kappa Chapter, University of Virginia v Grew up in Norfolk, Va v She enjoys Broadway, long walks with her dog, concerts. v She works as a Civil Litigation Attorney for the DOJ v She is passionate about helping people find their dream career, and talking about Jesus.

Upcoming July Events

Wine Tasting at Bull Run 7/23

Essay Writing Webinar 7/31

Save the Date: September 30 – October 1 PNO Retreat: Stay tuned for more information!

Sorors having Fun Soror Karen with her daughter Carole on a mother-daughter trip in the Bahamas

Soror Kim & her husband on Wellness Wednesday

Sorors Essence, Romana and Saunji having fun at the NoVA NPHC cookout at Anderson Park in Ft. Belvoir, VA

Sorors enjoying brunch after the chapter photoshoot!

Soror Karen with her daughter, line sister Vanessa, and Delta Zeta Soror Daphne

Congratulations to actress and educator Soror Phylicia Rashad on her Tony Award for Actress in a featured role in the play, “Skeleton Crew”.

Soror Rashad also serves as Dean of Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University.

Overturning Roe v. Wade A message from the Supreme Basileus

June 24, 2022 Dear Sorors: Sadly, today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade marks an unfathomable abandonment of the enshrinement of a woman’s fundamental right to privacy and to own her body. This extreme and dangerous ruling will restrict the ability of millions of women, particularly African-American women and other women of color, to make informed reproductive choices based on their own life circumstances and sincerely-held beliefs. It also will undoubtedly lead to significant disparities among state laws governing women's reproductive rights. Men’s rights are not at stake.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has consistently promoted and supported the empowerment of women in all matters, but most especially their health. We will not be deterred in these efforts despite today's egregious decision which disproportionately affects Black women. As women committed to the causes of equality and justice, we will continue to press issues pertaining to women and our health and well-being.

There can be no question that this Supreme Court decision underscores, in clear and unequivocal terms, the reality that elections have consequences at the local, state and national levels. As we approach the upcoming elections in the fall, each of us absolutely must do our part to take an active role in the electoral process by voting every time the polls are open, encouraging others to vote regularly and often, and supporting candidates who protect women in charting their own reproductive course.

Let us remain prayerful, vigilant and committed to demanding representation by elected officials who value women and respect our ability to choose what is best for us and for our bodies.

Committed to the Fight for Women’s Rights,

Soror Glenda Glover Supreme Basileus

Reminder From the Risk Management Committee As we prepare to return to in-person activities, the Risk Management Committee would like to remind chapter sorors that sorority guidelines require proof of negative COVID-19 test results before participating in chapter sponsored activities. Since home test results are acceptable, you may want to take advantage of the free COVID home test provided by the U.S. postal service.

Click here for more information: https://special.usps .com/testkits.

Birthdays Ø Romana Lavalas – June 4 Ø LaToya Kearns – June 5 Ø Yvonne Jones – June 30

AKAversaries Ø Deirdre Miles – June ‘87 Ø Tamara Wareen – June ’03 Ø Nicole White – June ‘18

Community Partners • • • • • • •

Shelter House ALIVE! Carpenter’s Shelter BRAWS Alexandria City Public Schools Nanci’s Gift Friends of the Guest House